Anonymous backs encrypted social network 'Minds'

A new privacy-focused social network has seemingly won the support of hacker collective Anonymous.

Minds.com has just launched on web and mobile and is not only a social network in its own right, but operates as a free and open-source platforms for others to build on and share things with one another. "We are a free and open-source platform to launch your digital brand, social network and mobile app. We are also a social network ourselves. It is a global social network of social networks," the Minds team explains.

Advertisement

The reason it seems to have attracted the likes of Anonymous, which has issued a call on Facebook asking the public to help build Minds, is that it offers end-to-end encrypted private messaging -- a boon for the group, the members of which mask their identities even from each other.

Two of those on the Minds team -- Bill Ottman and Lori Fena -- have strong backgrounds dealing with privacy and freedom of expression issues, and are both known for their internet-related activism. It is likely these are the type of people that the company is hoping to attract -- those with a cause, who want to build something and share it openly with others who may also have a cause.

There is a second element to Minds that sets it aside from rivals, however, and this is the ability for users to control their own reach. The more active you are on Minds and in the network, the more you are rewarded with a greater reach that you get to control. "For every mobile vote, comment, remind, swipe and upload you earn points which can be exchanged for views on posts of your choice. It's a new web paradigm that gives everyone a voice," the team explains.

This is in stark contrast to something like Facebook, which uses its own unfathomable and regularly adjusted algorithms to control reach for each post. The interface of Minds seems to revolve around a three-column layout, no matter which section you're checking -- photos, videos or the directory. It's a simple interface that lets you choose from a column down the left-hand side of the page what you would like to do -- whether that be check your Newsfeed, upload something or dabble in Bitcoin.

The web version of Minds in live now, as are the iOS and Android apps. Give it a go and let us know what you think.